Kolb And Philly, Part II

Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb (right) hugs the man he was traded for, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, before last year's game in Philadelphia.

Kevin Kolb still doesn’t know if nerves might take a toll on him when he faces his former team.

The quarterback didn’t get to play in the Cards’ win in Philadelphia last season because of his foot injury, but he should get his chance this week when the Eagles visit University of Phoenix Stadium Sunday, which would be “cool,” Kolb said.

“I’ve never done it before so it’ll be unique,” Kolb said. “Hopefully I don’t get too fired up.”

Now that Kolb has been away from Philadelphia a season, the situation isn’t quite the same as it was when the teams met last year. Kolb admitted he can try and help the Cardinals’ defense deal with the Eagles scheme, but “I’m not sure it’s quite as fresh on my mind.” Besides, the Cards’ defense has its own video to watch, after successfully handling its end in the 2011 win.

The storyline will still be Kolb-centric, though. He remains friends with Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, the man who beat him out for a job, saying “He’s a good guy inside and out and I think very highly of him.”

Vick said when he and Kolb do talk, it’s about things other than football.

“I just see a guy who’s been through a lot over the last year,” Vick said. “He’s been very resilient.”

Eagles coach Andy Reid said it was inevitable that Kolb, changing teams and offensive systems after the trade that sent cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick to Philly, was going to have some ups and downs.

Kolb is starting right now only because of John Skelton’s ankle injury – coach Ken Whisenhunt declined to say if he thought Skelton would be able to play this week – but has played well since he got under center. He has yet to throw an interception, and had a touchdown pass and touchdown run in New England.

Kolb said it would be “naïve” to think there won’t be added incentive this week, given the opponent. But his biggest lesson learned during his time in Philadelphia was to not be overcome with emotion.

“When it’s high there and things are going good, you can’t buy into it because there is a lot of hype,” Kolb said. “If things are low, it’s ‘Good gosh, is the sun going to come up tomorrow?’ It’s not quite like that here but it is the NFL and that’s how it is nowadays. You have to be able to ride those waves.”

OFFENSIVE LINE PRODUCES

The Cardinals have only surrendered two sacks in two games, and thus far, the team has made it work with sub left tackle D’Anthony Batiste and rookie right tackle Bobby Massie.

“D’Anthony has played very well for us,” Whisenhunt said. “He was not certainly expected by a lot of people to play very well. Neither was Bobby Massie. But it’s only been two games. They’ve battled. They are continuing to get better and hopefully our line plays better this week.”

The Eagles present problems with a “Wide 9” alignment that puts rush ends Trent Cole and Jason Babin far outside where normal ends line up. It’ll be a different concept for which Batiste and Massie must deal.

“I think the line has done outstanding,” Kolb said. “Some of them are in there when they didn’t think they’d be in there, and they have risen to the occasion.”

For the Eagles, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (hip) didn’t practice, while fellow receiver DeSean Jackson (hamstring) was limited. Starting left tackle King Dunlap sat out with a hamstring issue as well.

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